Method and system for accessing information and/or data available on a wide area computer network

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a method and a system for accessing information and/or data available on a wide area computer network ( 100 ), such as the Internet. A first modulated acoustic signal (A) is transmitted to a group of potential users each provided with a portable communication unit ( 1, 1 *), this first modulated acoustic signal including at least one identifier (ID —   1 , ID —   2 , ID —   3 , . . . ) associated with a link to a determined site of the wide area computer network. These identifiers are stored in the portable communication unit then subsequently downloaded to a computer terminal ( 50, 51, 52 ) connected to the wide area computer network. After the downloaded identifier or identifiers have been compared with a determined list of identifiers (ID_A, ID_B, ID_C, . . . ), a list of links (Link_A, Link_B, Link_C, . . . ) to sites corresponding to the downloaded identifier or identifiers is generated by the computer terminal.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/112,033 filed Apr. 1,2002, which claims priority to European Patent Application No.01201271.2 filed Apr. 6, 2001, the entire disclosure of each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a system for accessinginformation and/or data available on a wide area computer network, likethe Internet.

Wide area computer networks, or global networks, like the Internet, arenow used across the world by millions of individuals to convey all typesof information and data, such as textual data, images or any other mediacapable of being translated into digital form. These networks havedeveloped at a lightening pace over the last ten years and the quantityof information now accessible to everyone has become practicallyunlimited.

Access to sites on these computer networks is governed by determinedaddresses or links (also called URLs—“Universal Resource Locators”)generally allocated by national regulating authorities. A user wishingto be connected to a specific site necessarily has to memorize theselinks to obtain the relevant information he is seeking, these linksbeing more or less long and complex to memorize. Although the links aregenerally “translated” and specified in intelligible terms relatingtypically to the trade name or designation used by the company or personmaintaining the sites, there is a recurrent risk of error when such alink is entered, which may result in connection to a different site fromthat which was originally desired, or, quite simply, in a failure toconnect to the desired site.

Moreover, given the typical complexity of the organisation of the sites,the user is generally connected first of all to the main page of thesite in question before being able to access the specific site pageshowing the information he is seeking. This problem is all the morefrequent when the pages of such sites are regularly updated and thelinks to such pages can evolve at the will of maintenance of the sites.

This also constitutes a major problem for companies or individualswishing to offer services aimed at clients or users as well as quick anddirect access to information.

Moreover, there is no real cohesion between this information and datamedia formed by the global computer networks and the other conventionalmedia such as television or radio for example. Although it is currentlypossible to verbally or visually indicate a link to a site to apotential user via a TV or radio commercial or any other visual or audioannouncement transmitted by similar means, this mode of communication isnot currently satisfactory, in particular because of the complexity andbreadth of information which has to be memorized by the user as wasalready mentioned hereinbefore. When this mode of communication is used,typically only the main link of the site on the network will beindicated, and not the site page on which the relevant informationitself is shown. It is thus the user himself who peruses the site inquestion in order to find the desired information.

There therefore exists a real need for a solution enabling both the userto access data and/or information available on these global computernetworks easily, quickly and directly, and enabling the site managers toprovide direct access to the pages containing such data and/orinformation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One general object of the present invention is thus to propose such asolution facilitating access to data or information available on globalcomputer networks.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a solution whichis easy to implement, if possible using existing installations, or atleast with as few modifications as possible.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a solution,which assures an interface between conventional media for transmittinginformation, such as the television or radio, and wide area computernetworks, such as the Internet.

The present invention thus concerns a method for accessing informationand/or data available on a wide area computer network the features ofwhich are listed in the claims.

The present invention also concerns a system for accessing informationand/or data available on a wide area computer network the features ofwhich also are listed in the claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention form the subject ofthe dependent claims.

According to the invention, identifiers each associated with the link ofa site (or a page of the site) and, possibly, with a “key” providingaccess to privileged data on a site, are transmitted in the form of anacoustic signal modulated via acoustic transmission means. Thismodulated acoustic signal can be transmitted to a vast panel of usersvia a broad distribution medium, such as the television or radio, or toa more restricted group of users by means of a specific installation forexample arranged in a delimited space, such as a shop, a touristlocation, a museum, etc.

Most information transmission equipment, such as the TV or radio, arefitted with loudspeakers for reading out audio signals capable of beingheard by users. The use of this pre-existing transmission mode tocommunicate links to data or information available on wide area computernetworks thus does not require any particular adaptation of suchequipment so that the invention can be implemented at minimum cost.

It will be noted in this regard that devices allowing the transmissionand exchange of data via an acoustic interface are already known, inparticular from Patent Applications Nos. EP 1 075 098 and WO 01/10064 inthe name of Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches which are incorporated herein byreference. This communication mode is for example applied in PatentApplication No. WO 01/09689, also in the name of Eta SA Fabriquesd'Ebauches, for setting the time of a portable object having atime-related function.

According to the invention, the identifiers are transmitted and storedin a mobile communication unit carried by the user, such as awristwatch. These identifiers are subsequently downloaded by the user,preferably also using an acoustic interface, onto a computer terminalconnected to the wide area computer network on which the searchedinformation or data appears.

Preferably, the computer terminal is connected to a specific site on thewide area computer network including a database containing a list of theidentifiers and links associated with the identifiers. A comparison ismade between the identifiers loaded by the user and the identifierspresent in the database, and the corresponding links are made accessibleto the user.

The method and the system according to the invention may in particularbe used in order to convey advertising information (specialannouncements, time limited offers, gift vouchers, etc.) aimed at agroup of users or potential clients, or to direct these users directlyto a detailed information page relating to a current event (informationbulletin, comprehensive sports results, etc.). This method and thissystem may also be used, in cultural or tourist locations, to transmitto users a specific link to a site relating to the place visited, whichthe users can subsequently use to obtain further information about thecultural or tourist location visited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear moreclearly upon reading the following detailed description, made withreference to the annexed drawings, given by way of non-limiting example,and in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a system for accessing data and/orinformation available on a wide area computer network according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 shows schematically a particular embodiment example of theportable communication unit 1 used in the system according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, each potential user is provided with aportable communication unit 1 advantageously able to take the form of awristwatch as illustrated. This portable communication unit 1 includesin particular transmitting and receiving means of modulated acousticsignals and is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows schematically a particular embodiment example of portablecommunication unit 1, which can take the form of a timepiece. Unit 1includes receiving means formed by an electro-acoustic transducer 30which acts as a microphone and which conventionally converts theincident acoustic signal into a succession of electric signals whichwill then be converted by conversion means of portable unit 1 into dataintended to be processed and stored. In the example shown in FIG. 2, theconversion means of portable unit 1 include an amplifier 10 for theelectric signal generated by electro-acoustic transducer 30 and ademodulator 12 connected to signal amplifier 10 and intended todemodulate the acoustic signal received by transducer 30 and to transmitthe demodulated signal to an input of a micro-controller 14.Micro-controller 14 forms processing means for portable unit 1. Theinformation carried by the received acoustic signal, demodulated bydemodulator 12 and processed by micro-controller 14, is stored in amemory 16 of unit 1 and, if necessary, may be displayed on a displaydevice 18 for example a liquid crystal display. A battery 20, which maybe rechargeable, powers portable unit 1 with electric current.

Preferably, portable unit 1 is also provided with conversion andtransmission means for converting the data stored in memory 16 andprovided by processing means 14 into a modulated acoustic signalrepresentative of the stored data, and for transmitting this acousticsignal. As shown in FIG. 2, the conversion means of portable unit 1include a modulation circuit 22, which drives, via a drive circuit 24,the transmitting means, namely electro-acoustic transducer 30 acting, inthis case, as a loudspeaker. The processing means of portable unit 1,i.e. micro-controller 14, controls modulation circuit 22 using dataoriginating from memory 16 associated with micro-controller 14.

Advantageously, the conversion and transmitting means and the receivingand conversion means of portable unit 1 use the same singleelectro-acoustic transducer 30 which operates in a reversible manner,i.e. both as a microphone and as a loud-speaker. It will be understoodnonetheless that two distinct electro-acoustic transducers may also beused.

Portable communication unit 1 is adapted to receive a first modulatedacoustic signal, designated A, transmitted by suitable transmittingmeans. These transmitting means can advantageously be formed of atelevision 2 connected to the hertzian, cable or satellite televisedprogramme transmission network or, by analogy, of a radio set 3connected to the radio transmission network. Modulated acoustic signal Ais typically transmitted, for example during a commercial or aretransmission programme, as an audio signal (modulated by a digitalsequence) by means of loud-speaker(s) 2 a, 3 a, with which television 2or radio set 3 is typically provided.

Alternatively, for applications intended to reach a more restrictedpublic, for example in a shop or a tourist or cultural location,modulated acoustic signal A can be transmitted by a specific device 4essentially including, in a similar manner to television 2 or radio set3, a loud-speaker 4 a. This loudspeaker 4 a may be controlled forexample by a computerised system 4 b arranged to generate modulatedacoustic signals A, such as a microcomputer or another computerterminal. It will of course be understood that device 4 can take variousforms, the essential being that it includes means for transmitting anacoustic signal (like loud-speaker 4 a) and means for generating theseacoustic signals.

Modulated acoustic signal A includes, according to the invention, one ormore identifiers, designated ID_n (n=1, 2, 3, . . . ). These identifiersID_n are each associated with a link (determined as a function of theapplication or moment) to a determined site (site 101, 102, 103, etc.)on the wide area computer network, designated 100 in FIG. 1. Modulatedacoustic signal A may include one or more of these identifiers.

Identifiers ID_n are for example formed of a binary digital sequence bymeans of which acoustic signal A is modulated. Those skilled in the arthave available a very varied number of solutions for modulating theacoustic signal by means of a binary digital sequence, such as amplitudemodulation, frequency modulation (for example in accordance with atechnique called Frequency-Shift Keying, or FSK, wherein the signalfrequency is switched between two determined frequencies) or phasemodulation (for example in accordance with a technique calledPhase-Shift Keying, or PSK, wherein the signal is alternately phaseshifted by 180° depending upon whether one wishes to transmit a “0” or a“1”. Detailed information concerning these known modulation techniquescan be found in the work “Electronic Engineers' Handbook”, D.Christiansen, 4^(th) edition, McGraw-Hill, 1997, chapter 18, pp. 18.40to 18.44.

Identifiers ID_n transmitted by means of modulated acoustic signal A arestored in the data memory (16 in FIG. 2) of each communication unit 1 asis schematised by the memory fields designated 160 in FIG. 1.

According to a variant of the invention, one or more of theseidentifiers ID_n can be exchanged with a similar communication unit,designated 1*, with which another user is provided. By selecting oneidentifier among the set of stored identifiers (for example identifierID_3 as illustrated), a user can thus easily transmit a pre-stored linkto another system user. This exchange is preferably and advantageouslyeffected by means of the acoustic interface of each communication unit1, 1*.

The identifiers ID_n stored in communication unit 1, are then downloadedonto a computer terminal, designated 50, including in particular acentral processing unit 51 connected to wide area computer network 100.This computer terminal 50 is preferably provided with means enabling itto receive an external acoustic signal, for example, a microphone 52.The identifiers ID_n stored in portable communication unit 1 are thusdownloaded by means of the acoustic interface between computer terminal50 and unit 1 by transmitting a modulated acoustic signal, designated B,and at least temporarily stored in the memory of central processing unit51.

Alternatively, it will be understood that the identifiers can bedownloaded by different means to acoustic means, such as optical orradio-frequency means, or via a cable connection. It will be understoodnonetheless that the use of an acoustic interface constitutes adetermining advantage since practically all modern computer terminalsare fitted with means for receiving acoustic signals or at least can befitted with such means at a low cost, whereas the use of othertransmission means requires specific non standard equipment or involvesa complicated construction for portable communication unit 1.

By way of a particularly advantageous embodiment, one could use thecommunication unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 and using an electronicacoustic signal converter and an acoustic wave communication method asdisclosed in aforementioned European Patent Application No. 1 075 098.In accordance with this Application, one may in particularadvantageously use a sound generator circuit using a piezo-electricvibrator.

Once identifiers ID_n have been downloaded onto computer terminal 50,they are compared to a determined list of identifiers ID_A, ID_B, ID_C,etc., each corresponding to a determined link Link_A, Link_B, Link_C,etc., to a site or a determined page of a site on wide area computernetwork 100. A list of links corresponding to the downloaded identifiersis then generated by computer terminal 50 and made accessible to theuser for connection thereto. This connection may advantageously be madeautomatic as soon as the comparison of the identifiers has been made.

Preferably, computer terminal 50 is connected to a specific site on widearea computer network 100 (solely by way of example the sitewww.swatch.com), this specific site, designated 101 in FIG. 1, includinga data base 111 containing the determined list of identifiers ID_A,ID_B, ID_C, etc., and associated links Link_A, Link_B, Link_C, . . .etc. Comparison of this list with the downloaded identifiers can then beeffected by specific site 101, so that only a small plug-in has to beinstalled in computer terminal 50, which thus does not require thedetermined list of links and associated identifiers to be loaded oncomputer terminal 50.

In addition to the links to sites or specific site pages on wide areacomputer network 100, the identifiers may also be associated with a keyproviding access to privileged data on the site with which saididentifier is associated. For example, in view of a client fidelityprogramme, the system could also be used to accumulate fidelity pointsin an account hosted in a site of wide area computer network 100.

Moreover, an identifier could also automatically start a predefinedprocess on the computer terminal. For example, when the user downloadsan identifier of this type on his computer terminal, the identifiercould also automatically start an application such as the plug-inallowing him to be connected to determined site 101 including database111. This identifier could also modify certain parameters of thecomputer terminal such as the graphic representation of his screen,generation of a melody, etc.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvementsthat are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to theembodiment described in the present description without departing fromthe scope of the invention defined by the annexed claims. In particular,it will be understood that the term “link” encompasses any address orreference enabling a user to be connected to a particular site on thenetwork or to a specific page of the site.

1. A method for accessing information and/or data available on theInternet, using information transmission equipment fitted withloudspeakers for sending out audio signals capable of being heard byusers, said method including: a) transmitting, via the loudspeakers ofthe information transmission equipment, a first modulated acousticsignal to a group of potential users each provided with a portablecommunication unit, the first modulated acoustic signal including atleast one identifier associated with a link to a determined site of theInternet; b) storing, in said portable communication unit, theidentifier or identifiers transmitted by means of said first modulatedacoustic signal; c) downloading the identifier or identifiers stored insaid portable communication unit to a computer terminal connected to theInternet; and d) comparing the downloaded identifier or identifiers witha predetermined list of identifiers stored at a third party site on theInternet prior to downloading the identifier or identifiers in order togenerate a list of links to sites corresponding to the downloadedidentifier or identifiers.
 2. A method according to claim 1, whereinsaid downloading step c) is achieved by transmitting, to said computerterminal, a second modulated acoustic signal including the identifier oridentifiers stored by said portable communication unit.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said computer terminal is connected to aspecific site of the Internet including a database containing saiddetermined list of identifiers and in that said comparing step d) iseffected by said specific site.
 4. A method according to claim 1,wherein at least one identifier is also associated with a key providingaccess to privileged data on the site with which said identifier isassociated.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein, as soon as theidentifier is downloaded onto the computer terminal, a predefinedprocess is started in said computer terminal.
 6. A method according toclaim 1, wherein said first modulated acoustic signal is transmitted bymeans of a TV or radio retransmission installation.
 7. A system foraccessing information and/or data available on the Internet, usinginformation transmission equipment fitted with loudspeakers for sendingout audio signals capable of being heard by users, said systemincluding: means for transmitting, via the loudspeakers of theinformation transmission equipment, a first modulated acoustic signal toa group of potential users, this first modulated acoustic signalincluding at least one identifier associated with a link to a determinedsite of said Internet; a portable communication unit, with which eachuser is provided, the portable communication unit including means forreceiving said first modulated acoustic signal, means for storing theidentifier or identifiers transmitted by means of said first modulatedacoustic signal, and means for transmitting a second modulated acousticsignal including the identifier or identifiers stored by said portablecommunication unit; and a computer terminal connected to said Internetand including downloading means adapted to receive said second modulatedacoustic signal, the computer terminal being arranged to compare thedownloaded identifier or identifiers with a predetermined list ofidentifiers stored at a third party site on the Internet prior todownloading the identifier or identifiers and to generate a list oflinks to sites corresponding to the downloaded identifier oridentifiers.
 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said computerterminal is connected to a specific site of the Internet including adata base containing said determined list of identifiers and in that thecomparison of the downloaded identifier or identifiers with thedetermined list of identifiers is effected by said specific site.
 9. Asystem according to claim 7, wherein at least one identifier is alsoassociated with a key providing access to privileged data of the sitewith which said identifier is associated.
 10. A system according toclaim 7, wherein said first modulated acoustic signal is transmitted bymeans of a TV or radio retransmission installation.
 11. A method forconveying advertising, news, business and/or cultural information to agroup of potential clients, using information transmission equipmentfitted with loudspeakers for sending out audio signals capable of beingheard by the clients, said method including : a) providing a portablecommunication unit to each client of said group of potential clients ;b) transmitting, via the loudspeakers of the information transmissionequipment, a first modulated acoustic signal to said group of potentialclients, the first modulated acoustic signal including at least oneidentifier associated with a link to a determined site of the Internet ;c) storing, in said portable communication unit, the identifier oridentifiers transmitted by means of said first modulated acoustic signal; d) downloading the identifier or identifiers stored in said portablecommunication unit to a computer terminal connected to said Internet;and e) comparing the downloaded identifier or identifiers with apredetermined list of identifiers stored at a third party site on theInternet prior to downloading the identifier or identifiers in order togenerate a list of links to sites corresponding to the downloadedidentifier or identifiers.
 12. A method for accessing information and/ordata available on the Internet, using information transmission equipmentfitted with loudspeakers for reading out audio signals capable of beingheard by users, said method including: transmitting, via theloudspeakers of the information transmission equipment, a firstmodulated acoustic signal to a group of potential users each providedwith a portable communication unit, the first modulated acoustic signalincluding at least one binary digital sequence associated with a link toa determined site of the Internet; storing, in said portablecommunication unit, the at least one binary digital sequence transmittedby means of said first modulated acoustic signal; downloading the atleast one binary digital sequence stored in said portable communicationunit in a computer terminal connected to the Internet; and comparing thedownloaded at least one binary digital sequence with a determined listof binary digital sequences in order to generate a list of links tosites corresponding to the downloaded at least one binary digitalsequence.
 13. A method for accessing information on the Internet, usinginformation transmission equipment fitted with loudspeakers for readingout audio signals capable of being heard by users, said methodincluding: transmitting, via the loudspeakers of the informationtransmission equipment, a first modulated acoustic signal to a group ofpotential users each provided with a portable communication unit, thefirst modulated acoustic signal including at least one identifier, eachidentifier corresponding to an unique link of a determined site of theInternet; storing, in said portable communication unit, the at least oneidentifier transmitted by said first modulated acoustic signal;downloading the at least one identifier stored in said portablecommunication unit to a computer terminal connected to the Internet; andcomparing the downloaded at least one identifier with a stored list ofidentifiers that each correspond to an unique link of a determined siteto generate a list of links to sites corresponding to the downloaded atleast one identifier.
 14. A method according to claim 5, wherein thepredefined process comprises connecting to the third party site of theInternet.
 15. A method according to claim 13, further comprisingperforming an action associated with one of the links in the list.
 16. Amethod according to claim 13, wherein the action is clicking on a linkin the list, visiting a determined site corresponding to a link in thelist, or printing data at a determined site corresponding to a link ofthe list.